For every action we take as human beings, there are “reasons” for it although it’s often hard to understand our actions, feelings, or thoughts in life. Most of the answers for our behaviors can be explained by our temperaments.
Temperament simply refers to the way we react to situations i.e people, things and places. It’s the different methods in which people respond to and handle the environment and world around them. Some people react to situations faster than others. Some are more prone to fear, anxiety, depression and anger than others. Therefore, it’s important to know your temperament so you can improve your behavior, relationships, lifestyle as well as productivity.

There are four basic types of temperaments: sanguine, choleric, phlegmatic and melancholic. People with sanguine and choleric temperaments are known to be more sociable, more outgoing, more comfortable around people, and even stand out from a crowd. In other words, they’re extroverts. On the other hand, melancholic and phlegmatic people are more reserved and shy, and feel uncomfortable in a crowd. They’re also known as introverts.

Types of temperaments.

Melancholic

People with a melancholic temperament love to follow traditions. For example, women should cook for men and men should provide for women. They love their friends and family and, unlike sanguine types, don’t seek adventure or novelty. In fact, they try as much as possible to avoid it. Someone who has a melancholic temperament is highly unlikely to leave their country for another or marry a foreigner.

Melancholic people are often very creative and love to contribute to the society. They are extremely efficient and orderly, making them fantastic managers. They’re ideal for careers in management, accounting, administration and social work.

Melancholic people need to learn to love life a little more. They should probably make friends with sanguines, who will expose them to life’s pleasures. They also have to be more confident in themselves as well as their work. Above all, melancholic people need to understand that to err is human. No one’s perfect. Thus, it’s best to be realistic rather than idealistic.

Sanguine

People with sanguine temperament are often optimistic, lively, buoyant and carefree. They are flamboyant, love gatherings, parties and outings. They’re the sort that can spice up a dull party.

However, sanguines don’t like commitment. Therefore, they might be quite unreliable. Sanguines are also easy to distract as everything catches their attention. They tend to be impulse buyers, talkers and liars. In most cases, sanguines aren’t good at academics as they find it boring. They also find it difficult to be faithful to their partners. Since a sanguine is disposed to seeking pleasure, they may likely struggle with addictions. They may also be prone to overeating and weight issues.

Sanguines are extremely creative and often become great artists. Additionally, they may become great entertainers if they choose to. Their talents are also perfect for careers in marketing, travel, cooking, sports or fashion.

Sanguines need to learn about discipline, seriousness and purposefulness. While it’s not necessarily bad to joke and have fun a bit, certain situations in life demand meditation and sobriety.

Choleric

People with choleric temperaments are hardworking, firm, independent, domineering and born leaders. They are good at making snap decisions. They tenaciously stick to their goals and are self-motivated. Choleric people are very bossy, make good campaign leaders, team leaders, supervisors, military officers and principals.

Extremely pragmatic and straightforward, people with choleric personalities aren’t particularly social or great companions. They’re also extremely prone to shouting and anger. They don’t like small talk and prefer deep, meaningful conversations. They’d rather keep to themselves than be around shallow, superficial people. In an ideal world, they want to hang out with people who’ve got similar professional interests.

Ideal careers for those who are choleric include management, technology, business, statistics, engineering and programming.

Cholerics need to learn to exercise patience, be loving, sympathetic and friendly to others.

Phlegmatic

Phlegmatic people tend to be easy-going, peace-loving and friendly. They just want things to remain the way they are. They’re rarely confrontational and are quick to apologize for any wrongdoing in order to keep a cordial and peaceful atmosphere with others.

In most cases, phlegmatic people need pressure to deliver results. Left alone, they can easily loaf around doing nothing. They just prefer to avoid causing stress or tension. As a result, they’re prone to being cheated or bullied. A good example of a phlegmatic is someone who cannot decide for themselves.

Phlegmatic types of people really love helping others and are attracted to charity. Ideal careers for these personality types include nursing, teaching, social services, child development and counseling or psychology.

Phlegmatic people need to understand that the world isn’t as peaceful and friendly as they seem to think. They need to protect their rights and not be trampled on. They also need to get more active and participate in activities that can bring out their best.

Why it is important to know your temperament

It is very important to know our temperament so that we can have an in-depth knowledge of how exactly each one of us functions. Knowing your personality helps you identify the feelings or pressures you’re dealing with as well as where they’re originating from.

It helps you know whether these feelings or pressures are coming from you, from the environment in which you live in, or from your weaknesses or desires. Our temperaments determine many things in our lives, including:

Spiritual development

How independent or dependent we are

How we handle responsibilities and make decisions

Finding a career/job that’s most suited to us

Finding hobbies that bring us the most pleasure and fulfillment

In marriage, happiness is greatly determined by how well each partner understands their partner’s temperament as well as how willing they’re to cater to their spouse’s temperament needs.